Garden City Police Participating in Operation Safe Stop

Commissioner Ernest Cipullo announces that on April 15 the Garden City Police Department will participate in a statewide traffic initiative entitled Operation Safe Stop.

This effort will address the issue of bus safety, particularly motorists illegally passing a stopped school bus, which is listed as the second leading cause of student transportation fatalities. The main goal of this initiative is to increase public awareness of the hazards posed by passing stopped school buses.

"Flashing red lights on the top of a stopped school bus means that the bus is picking up or discharging students," Commissioner Cipullo said. "It is illegal for any motorist to either pass or overtake a stopped school bus that has its red lights flashing."

Garden City police will be coordinating their enforcement efforts with the Garden City School District's transportation division. During this initiative police officers will monitor selected bus routes and enforce various New York State traffic laws, including but not limited to passing stopped school buses, speeding in school zones and/or at bus stop locations, passing Stop signs at bus stop locations and cell phone usage at bus stop locations. 

Commissioner Cipullo reminds all motorists that the first time penalty for illegally passing a stopped school bus is a $385 fine, five points on your license and/or possibly up to 30 days in jail. A second conviction within three years results in a minimum fine of $600 and a third conviction within three years results in a minimum fine of $750.